Italy, France and Greece want to lead an EU mission in the Red Sea. international

Italy, France and Greece want to lead a new EU mission in the Red Sea to protect European ships from attacks by Yemen’s Houthis. The three countries also want to host the headquarters of Mission Espides, proposed by the Union’s External Action Service in one of the world’s vital sea routes, in which Spain has refused to participate. This Wednesday the Defense Ministers of the Member States will decide in Brussels which partner will lead this delicate mission, in which at least seven countries will participate with personnel and equipment (from ships to aerial surveillance or technical means) and which Guardian Will cooperate with. Prosperity, produced by the United States – with whom it will share secret information – and with other allies. But it will be independent and will be only for security, not for attack. Iran’s allies, the Houthis, have assured that they will continue attacks until Israel ends its offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Brussels proposed to Member States the creation of a new Aspides mission, for which it needs three frigates, as EL PAIS has announced, in view of the increase in attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea that transport goods to the EU. We do. The proposal was submitted after Spain rejected that the anti-piracy mission, led by Atalanta, would also deal with the security of the Red Sea, following earlier strikes by the United States and the United Kingdom against Houthi targets. Had happened before. The EU hopes the mission will be operational by mid-February, EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Josep Borrell said in Brussels.

The head of European diplomacy hopes that the countries which will not participate in this mission will not hinder it. “Not all member states are willing to participate, but no one will hinder,” he said. “That’s what I expect; Those who do not want to participate will have to step aside,” he said as he arrived at a meeting with EU defense ministers. Borrell assures that many European companies have sought the construction of Aspides (protection) because they are being affected by the increase in costs resulting from attacks in the Red Sea. “It is affecting costs, so it affects prices and inflation. It’s a natural endeavor for us to try to avoid that risk, Borrell commented.

A Community source says that France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece and Denmark have shown themselves willing to contribute material (ships and aerial surveillance and technical means) and personnel to the mission. “The important thing is to have the means to complete the mission, not only for launch, but also for maintaining Aspides over time,” the source says. The new mission could cost around 5.1 million euros per year and could be modeled on the Agenor mission, which will be led by France in the Strait of Hormuz and headquartered in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates).

In late December, Spain refused to hand over the Atalanta mission – which was created in 2008 to fight piracy off the coast of Somalia and which has only one ship, a Spanish frigate. Victory- Tasked with patrolling the area to support the US mission. This caused some tension with Washington. Then Spain demanded a European mission. The Spanish Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry have disagreed about Spain’s participation, but the government of Pedro Sánchez has leaned towards the position of Defense Minister Margarita Robles and refused to participate in one of the most committed missions at the moment. Is. European Union.

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